Why does my hearing aid whistle? How do I stop it?

Why Does My Hearing Aid Whistle?

How to prevent any sound leakage from your hearing aids and how to fix any feedback issues

Overview    |    How can you make the whistling stop?    |    What to do if the whistling continues    |    Prevention and conclusion

Last Hearing Aid UK Update:  09/03/2026

Whistling hearing aids

Hearing aids may whistle due to feedback, which occurs when amplified sound escapes from the ear canal and re-enters the microphone.

This can be caused by improper fit, earwax buildup, or a high-volume setting. Proper fitting, regular cleaning, and adjusting the devices can help minimise this whistling sound.

In this article, we cover the most common reasons hearing aids whistle — from a poor fit to earwax buildup — along with practical solutions and tips to help you deal with it, and the technologies designed to tackle feedback at the source.

Why is my hearing aid producing a whistling sound?

Hearing aids offer a bridge to the world of sound for millions.  Whilst designed to improve the quality of life for those with hearing loss, they can still introduce an unwelcome disturbance into the listening experience.  The enigmatic whistle, for example. 

High-pitched feedback sounds, such as whistling, can be not only annoying but also uncomfortable. In this modern world, we now rely on seamless communication more than ever. Annoyances, such as whistling, highlight the urgent need for new innovative solutions.

Hearing aid whistling can be common

Those who wear hearing aids sometimes complain about whistling noises coming from their devices and the inconvenience they bring. 

Because of the nature of hearing aids, feedback can occur, which creates a high-pitched sound that can be unbearable to listen to for long periods.

Hearing aids are simply miniature marvels of engineering, comprising microphones, amplifiers, and receivers.  However, the intricate nature of these components means they can create a feedback loop. 

This is when sound from the receiver is re-amplified by the microphone, leading to the whistling.

Other factors could be an improper fit, occlusion, or excessive earwax.  There is generally a root cause for whistling hearing aids, and such problems can be easily fixed. 

How do I stop my hearing aid from whistling?

Experiencing a whistling sound from your hearing aid can be both irritating and potentially embarrassing when it's audible to those around you.  The good news is that there are typically steps you can take to address this issue.

Commonly, a hearing aid produces whistling or squeaking sounds when the ear mould is not correctly positioned. To prevent any sound leakage and, subsequently, the whistling, make sure the ear mould fits snugly within your ear.

If you're still encountering feedback, consider the following tips to mitigate this bothersome whistling:

Earwax build-up

Keep your ears clean.  Earwax build-up in the ear canal can block sound transmission, causing it to be forced back out (feedback loop) and thus creating a whistle.

You can attempt to resolve this by applying a few drops of olive oil to your ear in the morning and at night for five consecutive days.

If there's no improvement, consult your local GP, who may prescribe ear drops or recommend an ear syringing procedure to safely remove any stubborn wax.  Leaving this problem to continue will change how you perceive sound, and this can have problematic consequences.

It is also important to ensure that there is no earwax left on your hearing aid's earpiece, as the problem can arise again.

Related reading:  All you need to know about earwax

Keep an eye on the hearing aid volume

Reduce the volume of your hearing aids to a comfortable level that still allows you to hear clearly.  Wearing your hearing aids at maximum volume may lead to unwanted noise.

If you find yourself needing the highest volume setting to hear properly, your hearing might have changed.  It's advisable to consult your audiologist to assess your hearing, verify the proper functioning of your hearing aid, or make adjustments to rectify the problem.

Consider proximity

Why does my hearing aid whistle when I touch it?  Try to avoid covering or touching your hearing aids.  Proximity to certain objects can cause some hearing aids to whistle.

This is one of the reasons why audiologists often conduct tests by moving their hand close to the hearing aid to check for feedback. If this continues to occur, discuss the issue with your audiologist.

You may have noticed that hugging people on the side with the hearing aid can lead to feedback, so consider directing friends and family to the side without the hearing aid, if applicable, to reduce feedback.

Be mindful when wearing headgear

Wearing a hat covers your hearing aids, which can result in whistling.  This is because the hat's fabric can obstruct the hearing aid's microphone or receiver. This interference disrupts the hearing aid's functionality, causing feedback.

If hats or headgear are causing whistling, it's worth experimenting with styles that sit a little further from your ears. Hearing aid retention clips can also help keep things in place and reduce interference. Turning the volume down slightly can help too — and if the whistling is persistent, taking the hat off altogether is always an option while you work out a longer-term fix.

Eating can cause feedback

Chewing — and even smiling — moves your jaw, which can subtly change the shape of your ear canal. That shift can loosen the seal between your ear and your hearing aid, letting sound escape and causing feedback.

It's more common than you might think. Making sure your hearing aid fits snugly and getting a professional adjustment if needed can make a real difference.

A change in body shape can cause whistling

Be aware that changes in your weight, either gain or loss, can lead to an improper fit, causing the hearing aid to produce a whistling sound. Consult your audiologist to obtain a new or modified ear mould.

Old hearing aid parts can cause issues

The plastic tube that connects some hearing aids to the ear mould can harden and shrink over time, pulling it out of its correct position and causing whistling. If the tubing or ear moulds are loose or damaged, they may need adjusting or replacing by your audiologist.

The fit needs to be right

Make sure the earpiece and ear mould are correctly positioned and snug within your ear.  Whistling may also occur when inserting the hearing aid if there's an imperfect fit between the earpiece and the ear.

Modern hearing aids typically incorporate a brief delay between closing the battery case (which activates the device) and the electronics starting up.

Quickly placing the hearing aid in your ear can often prevent the whistling. You can try turning on the hearing aid (closing the battery case) once it's properly positioned, although this might be more challenging for those with longer hair.

It's also worth considering an open-fit hearing aid. Because they allow some natural sound into the ear, they tend to be less prone to feedback — which can make a noticeable difference for some wearers.

Why your hearing aid may have started whistling

How to avoid your hearing aids from whistling in the future

What to do if your hearing aids are still whistling

In noisy environments, hearing aids can sometimes struggle to differentiate between the desired sound and background noise, leading to feedback.  Use the feedback cancellation features available to you. 

Most modern hearing aids now include feedback cancellation technology that can detect and deal with whistling automatically, adjusting in real time without you having to do a thing.

Artificial intelligence is also an exciting development in this space — with the potential to monitor and adjust sound in real time, catching feedback before it becomes an issue while keeping sound quality and comfort at their best.

However, for a quick fix, adjust your hearing aid settings to minimise background noise by accessing any Background Noise Cancellation features available to you.  Your audiologist can also fine-tune your hearing aids to reduce feedback with your hearing loss in mind.

Ensuring you remain consistent with regular check-ups and future hearing healthcare treatment plans will also bring to light any device issues early, making sure you always hear at your best.

Talk to your audiologist about IIC hearing aids and upgrading

If you're still struggling with feedback and don't already have an Invisible in Canal (IIC) hearing aid, consider exploring this option.

IIC hearing aids can effectively eliminate feedback whistling, using digital technology to enhance sound quality and custom-fitting entirely within your ear canal.

For instance, most IIC hearing aids offer features like feedback suppression and wind noise reduction for outdoor clarity, as well as a music mode for clearer musical notes without feedback or distortion.

All hearing aids have a lifespan, and when components start to wear, the signs are usually hard to ignore — more frequent issues, less reliable performance, and general frustration. If that sounds familiar, it could simply be https://www.hearingaid.org.uk/hearing-aids/maintenance/upgrading-your-hearing-aids. Talk to your audiologist about what's out there; you might be surprised by how much has changed since you last looked.

Related reading:  All about IIC hearing aids

Conclusion

Most modern hearing aids have automatic feedback cancellation built in, but whistling can still happen from time to time. A few simple habits can help keep it in check.

First, check for anything that might be getting in the way. Hats, scarves, and earmuffs are common culprits, and sleeping in your hearing aids is best avoided, too — it can trap sound against the receiver and set off a feedback loop.

If your hearing aid or earmould isn't sitting properly in your ear, feedback is more likely. And if your device has a volume control, keeping it close to the default setting reduces the chance of whistling creeping in.

Regular ear check-ups are also worth keeping on top of. Earwax buildup is a surprisingly common trigger — and one that's easy to miss until it becomes a problem.

If you've tried all of the above and the whistling persists, it's worth speaking to your audiologist or GP. It's a fixable problem — you don't have to put up with it.